Theatrical scenery.



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E. CAMERON.

THEATRIGAL SGENERY.

APPLICATION FAILED NOV. 6. 1905..

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E. S. CAMERON. THEATRIUAL SCENERY.

,APPLICATION FILED NOV. 6. 1905.

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' PATENTED APR. 2, 1907.

E. s, CAMERON. THEATRIGAL SGBNBRY.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 6. 1 905.

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tUNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

EDGAR S. CAMERON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO MARK SALOMON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

' THEATRIGAL SCENERY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 2, 1907.

Application filed November 6,1905. Serial No. 285,965.

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Be it known that I, EDGAR S. CAMERON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Theatrical Scenery, of which the following` is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to stage or other artificial scenery for theatrical performances and the like, and has particular reference to a provision adapted to transform any particular setting or scene and change the effect produced thereby.

The invention comprises generally a scenic setting of one or more pieces provided with a movable or auxiliary setting adapted,through the medium of suitable mechanism, to transform the ordinary stationary setting from, for example, an autumn scene to a winter scene.

The invention consists of the organizations and arrangements of parts hereinafter particularly described and then pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate oneembodiment of the'invention, Figure 1 is a front elevation of a stage or platform, showing a set scene. Fig. 2 is a view of the same scene transformed to produce a snow effect. Fig. 3 is a plan view of Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. lis a rear elevation of one of the scenic pieces or members, showing the cable connections employed therewith; and Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, 10 indicates the stage, and 11 the proscenium arch of, for example, a theater. y

12 indicates two set piecesvor scenic members crossing the stage and designed to have painted or placed thereon in any other manner a scene appropriate to the particular act or representation in which they are to be employed. The set pieces 12 may be of the ordinary character used in theatrical and the like performances and consisting of suitable frames for the canvas on which the scene is painted or may consist of sheet metal of the proper outline and with the scene painted thereon. At the rear face of each of the set pieces 12 is a transforming member 13, which may consist of a suitable plate, sheet, strip,

or the like, the upper edge of which conforms to the outline of the upper edge of its associated set piece 12. I/Vhere the transformation to be effected is the change from a snowless scene to a snow scene, the front face of the auxiliary member 13 is white or whitish. Normally the upper edge of the auxiliary member 13 is not exposed above the upper edge of its associated set piece 12.- I/Vhen, however, it is desired to effect the transformation, the auxiliary members 13 are moved upward slightly, so as to be disclosed above the set pieces 12, thereby producing a white border, margin, or profile above and conforming to the outline of the set pieces, as shown in Fig 2. This transformation, with the addition of suitable lighting effects, produces a realistic transformation of an autumn scene, for example, to a snow scene in which the foliage, rocks, and other representations appear to be covered with snow. In order to transform the snow scene to its former condition, it is only necessary to lower the auxiliary members 13 so that their upper edges will be concealed behind the set pieces.

The auxiliary or transforming members may be moved or shifted in any suitable manner. In the present instance I employ for this purpose a suitable cable so arranged as to move the ends of the auxiliary member in parallelism and prevent disalinement thereof. Each of the set pieces 12 and its auxiliary member are provided with such cable, and the cables may be operated for the various set pieces in unison. To this end a suitable shaft 14 is suitably mounted in any convenient position and is provided with drums 1,5, the shaft being turned bya handcrank 16 or any other convenient mechanism. A cable 17, as shown in Fig. 4, passes from the associated drum to and under a suitable idler 18, loosely mounted on a shaft 19, which is suitably mounted ina bracket 20, fixed to the set piece 12, the auxiliary piece 13-being cut out, as at 21, to permit of the raising of the auxiliary member. From the idler 18 the cable passes in the direction of the featherless arrow to and around an idler22, which is loosely mounted on a shaft 23, carried by a bracket 24, which is secured to the rear face of the set piece 12. From the idler 22 the cable passes upwardly to an idler 25, journaled on the upper end of the IOO bracket 24. Between the idlers 22 and 25 the cable is attached, as by means of a clip 26, to the auxiliary member 13, as shown in I Fig. 4. The cable passes from the idler 25 downwardto and around an idler 27 on the shaft 23 and thence in the direction of the feathered arrows to an idler 28 on the shaft 19, lt then passes to an idler 29, journaled on a shaft 30, carried by a bracket 31, fixed to the rear face ofthe set piece 12. Between the idlers 2S and 29 the cable is attached to the auxiliary member, as by a clip 32, similar to the clip 26. From the idler 29 the cable then passes back to the drum. The auxiliary member is suitably slotted, as at 33, for the accommodation of the brackets 24 and 31. By reason of this arrangement the portions of the cables to which the auxiliary members are attached move in parallel and simultaneouslyT in the same direction, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 4. As the brackets in which the idlers are mounted are stationary, being fixed to the set pieces 12, it is obvious that when the drum is turned the auxiliary members will be raised or lowered, depending upon the direction of rotation of the drum. The arrangement of the cable for each set piece for operating its auxiliary member is the same.

ln order to increase the effectiveness of the transformation and make the same more realistic, having regard to the laws of perspective, the drums 15 are preferably of decreasing diameter from the front to the rear of the stage, as shown in Fig. 3. By this arrangement while the transforming-pieces are moved simultaneously they are progressively moved a decreasing distance, so that the depth of snow exposed above the set pieces decreases in thickness with the distance from the eye as is observed in nature when the scenery is covered with snow.

rlo heighten the effect, the auxiliary transforming member of the back set piece may be toned slightly to correspond with the shading produced by the toning of the seenery of such set piece, and where additional set pieces are employed this toning is gradually increased with the depth of the stage to correspond with the toning in natural scenery.

ln order to add to the realism of the trans-4 formation, l may provide means for imparting to the stage platform or floor the appearance of snow when the transformation of the set pieces takes place. To this end suitable stationary or set pieces 34 in harmony with the general scene pictured by the set pieces 12 may be located in front of the latter, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5. Normally resting upon the stage floor or platform is a transforming member 35, consisting in the present instance of a flap or sheet which may be of sheet metal or canvas on a frame, having suitable openings 36, up through which extend the pieces 34. This flap may be hinged at its front edge to the stage or, as in the present instance, rest loosely thereon. At one end of the stage over the rear of the flap 35 is a suitably-mounted idler 37, and at the other end is a pair of idlers 3S and 39. These idlers may be located on the gird-iron of the stage. A crank-arm 4() is fixed to the shaft 14, and from the same extends a cable 41, which passes over the idler 38 and is attached at its end, as at 42, to the adjacent end of the flap 35. A similar cable 43 is connected to the crank-arm 40, passes over the idler 39 to the idler 37 and then downward, and is attached, as at 44, to the opposite e'nd of the ffap. This flap where the transformation is to a snow scene is white or whitish, and as the shaft 14 is rotated its rear edge is lifted and lying at a suitable angle, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5, is exposed to the line of vision of the audience, giving the effect of ground covered with snow. Suitable guides 45 at the ends of the flaps prevent endwise movement of the same, lith the arrangement disclosed the transformation both as regards the transforming member or flap 35 and auxiliary transforming members 13 is effected simultaneously, and only a slight movement of the shaft 14 is necessary for the purpose.

`By means of the arrangement described a snow scene of exceedingly realistic effect may be produced, as while the stage-snow, usually in the form of small pieces of white paper, is falling the transforming members may be gradually elevated, so as to give in full view of the audience the appearance of the ground and scenery being gradually coated or clothed with snow. Of course the transformation may be effected instantly by a quick movement of theshaft. ln either event no shifting or changing of the set pieces is necessary.

lVhile l have shown the transforming-flap 35, it is Aof course understood that this is merely auxiliary and that the other features of the invention may be used with or without the same. lt is also to be understood that while l have shown and described cables for effecting the movement of the auxiliary scenery for the transformation this is merely by way of illustration and that any Vother suitable means may be employed. lf desired, during the transformation and while the snow is falling a gauze or net curtain may be lowered in front of the scenery to soften the effect.. A suitable drop or piece 46 may be employed as a background in the usual manner. The set pieces 12 may be supported in any suitable manner, as by means of the usual stage-hooks 47, which may be hooked to the brackets on the set pieces and anchored to the stage, so that the scenery may be readily displaced and transported, as with the usual scenery.

IOO

IIO

Having described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is`

1. In a device of the class described, a scenic member, and an auxiliary transforming member of substantially the sameA outline, the latter normally concealed by the former and adapted to be moved with relation thereto to change the scenic effect normally produced by said scenic member.

2. In a device of the class described, a stationary member, and an auxiliary movable member of corresponding outline carried thereby for changing the scenic effect normally produced by such scenic member.

3. In a device of the class described, a stationary scenic member, and an auxiliary member of substantially the same contour carried thereby and movable relative thereto, and means for moving the auxiliary member independently of and relatively to the scene produced by the stationary member whereby a transformation of the stationary member may be gradually effected.

4. In a device of the class described, a stationary scenic member, an auxiliary member of corresponding outline located on the rear face of and slidable on the stationary member for changing the effect normally produced by the stationary member, and cable mechanism for raising and lowering the auxiliary member.

5. In a device of the class described, a stationary set piece bearing an out-of-door scenic representation, and a normally concealed auxiliary movable member of corresponding outline carried by the set piece and adapted when exposed above the same to transform the scenic representation to a snow scene.

6. In a device of the class described, a set piece bearing an out-of-door scenic representation, and a normally concealed auxiliary member having substantially the same outline as and slidably mounted on the set piece and adapted when exposed above the set piece to produce a corresponding snow-scene effect, and means for sliding the auxiliary member.

7. In a device of the class described, a stationary scenic member, an auxiliary member located on the rear face of and slidable on the stationary member so as to be disclosed above the upper edge of the stationary member, a drum, and a cable having portions attached to theauxiliary piece to maintain the parallelism of the latter when moved.

S. In a device of the class described, a stationary scenic member having mounted thereon a member to change the effect produced by the stationary member, a drum, idlers carried by the stationary member, and a cable adapted to the drum and idlers and having parallel portions attached to the auxiliary member and moving in the same direction to maintain the parallelism of the latter.

9. In a device of the class described, a plurality of stationary scenic members each of which is provided with a movable transforming member of substantially the same outline as and normally concealed by the stationary member and adapted when exposed to change the effect of the scene produced by the stationary members, and means for moving and exposing the transforming members simultaneously without changing the positions of the scenic members.

10. In a device of the class described, a plurality of stationary scenic members, a movable transforming member carried by and conforming to the contour of each stationary member for changing the effect produced by the stationary members without changing the positions of the scenic members, and means for moving the transforming members simultaneously but different distances.

1 1. In a device of the class described, a plurality of stationary scenic members, a movable member carried by each stationary member for producing a different effect with respect to the stationary members, simultaneously-operated drums each of which is associated with a stationary member, and cables adapted to the drums and attached to the movable members, the said drums decreasing in diameter, whereby the movable members are moved simultaneously but different distances.-

12. In a device of the class described, a set piece and a flap normally horizontal and concealed by the set piece and which'when inclined to expose the same changes the effect normally produced by the set piece.

13. In a device of the class described, a set piece, a flap normally horizontal and concealed by the set piece, and means for tilting the flap to expose the same and vary the effect normally produced by the set piece.

14. In a device of the class described, a stationary scenic setting consisting of one or more pieces, a fiap normally concealed by the setting, and means for tilting the flap to disclose the same and transform the effect normally produced by the setting to another effect without moving the setting.

15. In a device of the class described, a plurality of set pieces, a vHap normally hori- Zontal and concealed by the set pieces and having openings through which the set pieces pass, and means for tilting the fiap to disclose it to view and to transform the effect normally produced by the set.

16. In a device of the class described, a

scenic member provided with an auxiliary i member, a set piece in front of the scenic member, a flap normally concealed by the set piece, and means for moving and exposing the auxiliary member and the flap simul- IOO IIO

taneously to change tbe normal effect protions Jfor moving the auxiliary member and duced by and Without changingl tbe position flap simultaneously to disclose tbe same and of the scenic member and set piece. vary tlie effect of the scenic member and set 17. ln a device of the class described, a pieces. 5 scenic member, an auxiliary member carried In testimony ywhereof I affix my signature 1.5

by and movable relative to the said member, in presence of two Witnesses. a plurality of set pieces in front of tbe said EDGAR S. CAMERON. member, a flap normally concealed by the set pieces and having` openings through ro which the latter project, and cable connec- Wvitnesses ARTHUR B. SEIBOLD, ELIZABETH MOLITOR. 

